ClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT03361293Updated Mar 17, 2021Results posted

Cognitive Training and tDCS for Children With FASD

An interventional study of Active tDCS and Cognitive training in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, sponsored by University of Minnesota. Completed at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 10 Years to 16 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2021-03-17.

Sponsored by University of Minnesota · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

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Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
44
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
10 Years to 16 Years
Sex
All
01

Where this study stands

Counted across the records on this site · 2026-11-13

Among 36 studies in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders with a site in United States — 9 open to participants now, 10 under way, none of them phase 3. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders · United States.

Enrollment
25th of 33
44 · median 95
Started
2017
the only one that year
No phase
22 of 36
9 open now
Registered
17th of 36
by date
Lead sponsor
4 of 36
University of Minnesota

Among the 36 studies in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders with a site in United States, this one is the 25th largest by enrollment of the 33 interventional ones that give a count, is the only one that started in 2017, is one of 22 with no phase, and was the 17th registered.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

65 studies on the registry are indexed under Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders; 13 are open to participants now.

Browse Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders studies →

Open to participants now

9 of the 36 studies in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders with a site in United States are open now. Recruiting first, the newest first:

4 more — sign in →

All 9 open studies →

A study can be open while its sites in United States have not opened yet or have stopped. Only those recruiting at a site in United States →

Who these studies take

Of the 11 Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders studies recruiting now, 4 (36%) set no upper age limit and 7 (64%) stop at 75 or younger; 4 take children under 18; 4 take healthy volunteers.

This study: 10 Years to 16 Years · all sexes · no healthy volunteers.

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Watch this landscapeDownload CSVNarrow it in search →With an account: a weekly mail of what changed among 36 studies in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders with a site in United States, or all of them as a file.
02

Study summary

This is a randomized placebo-controlled trial of cognitive training with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for children and adolescents (ages 10 - 16 years) with prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE).

Read the detailed description

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) has profound detrimental effects on brain development and, as a result, has permanent consequences for cognition, learning, and behavior. Individuals with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) commonly have a range of neurocognitive impairments that directly lead to practical problems with learning, attention, working memory, task planning/execution, and decision making, among other areas of functioning. Despite the profound public health burden posed by FASD, there have been very few treatment studies in this population. This study will examine the effects of a cognitive remediation training augmented with tDCS in children and adolescents with PAE. Functional magnetic resonance imaging will be collected to provide preliminary data of brain circuitry changes created by this intervention. The study involves a baseline visit with cognitive testing, MRI, 5 sessions of tDCS (including the baseline visit), and a 6th visit for cognitive testing and MRI. All sessions will be completed within a 28 to 56 day time window.

03

Conditions studied

  • Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
10 Years to 16 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • Documented heavy prenatal alcohol exposure (self-report, social service records, or adoption records) and meeting criteria for an associated FASD diagnosis (FAS, partial FAS, or ARND).
  • An available parent or legal guardian capable of giving

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Substance abuse in the participant
  • Neurological condition or other developmental disorder
  • Serious psychiatric disorder known to affect brain functioning and cognitive performance
  • Birthweight \< 1500 grams
  • MRI
  • tDCS contraindication
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(2)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

Informed consent

Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.

You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.

Contraindication

A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.

05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Quadruple (Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor)
Enrollment
44 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    Cognitive Training and Active tDCS

    5 sessions of computerized cognitive training on tasks of attention, concentration, set-shifting, and memory - plus active tDCS (also 5 sessions).

    Device: Active tDCS · Behavioral: Cognitive training

  • Sham comparator
    Cognitive Training and Sham tDCS

    5 sessions of computerized cognitive training on tasks of attention, concentration, set-shifting, and memory - plus sham tDCS (also 5 sessions) which consists of "placebo" stimulation with tDCS (ramp-up, but no actual stimulation).

    Behavioral: Cognitive training · Device: Sham tDCS

Interventions

  • DeviceActive tDCS

    Active Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) administered with a Neuroelectrics StarStim Enobio cap system (active mode)

  • BehavioralCognitive training

    BrainHQ Computerized cognitive training

  • DeviceSham tDCS

    Sham Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) administered with a Neuroelectrics StarStim Enobio cap system (sham mode)

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. BrainHQ Learning Rate

    Participants completed a Divided Attention Task during 5 sessions of tDCS. Unit of measure: milliseconds Meaning: lowest threshold reached across trials / fastest reaction time Direction: lower values represent better performance

    Time frame: Learning rate will be computed over 5 sessions of tDCS spanning 28 to 56 days; Each of the 5 tDCS sessions are 46 minutes long. The divided attention task is administered at the end of each tDCS session.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in D-KEFS Verbal Fluency - Letter

    The Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) cognitive battery measures executive functioning skills. Task performance is in scaled score points based on items generated and errors (range of 1-19 with a mean of 10 and a standard deviation of 3). Here, we present difference scores between session 1 (baseline) and 5 (completion). Greater values represent more change. Positive values represent improvement; negative values represent decline in performance.

    Time frame: D-KEFS will be administered at baseline and at the final visit (28 to 56 days after baseline)

  2. Change in D-KEFS Verbal Fluency - Category

    The Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) cognitive battery measures executive functioning skills. Task performance is in scaled score points based on items generated and errors (range of 1-19 with a mean of 10 and a standard deviation of 3). Here, we present difference scores between session 1 (baseline) and 5 (completion). Greater values represent more change. Positive values represent improvement; negative values represent decline in performance.

    Time frame: D-KEFS will be administered at baseline and at the final visit (28 to 56 days after baseline)

  3. Change in D-KEFS Trail-making - Numbers

    The Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) cognitive battery measures executive functioning skills. Task performance is in scaled score points based on items generated and errors (range of 1-19 with a mean of 10 and a standard deviation of 3). Here, we present difference scores between session 1 (baseline) and 5 (completion). Greater values represent more change. Positive values represent improvement; negative values represent decline in performance.

    Time frame: D-KEFS will be administered at baseline and at the final visit (28 to 56 days after baseline)

  4. Change in D-KEFS Trail-making - Letters

    The Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) cognitive battery measures executive functioning skills. Task performance is in scaled score points based on items generated and errors (range of 1-19 with a mean of 10 and a standard deviation of 3). Here, we present difference scores between session 1 (baseline) and 5 (completion). Greater values represent more change. Positive values represent improvement; negative values represent decline in performance.

    Time frame: D-KEFS will be administered at baseline and at the final visit (28 to 56 days after baseline)

  5. Change in D-KEFS Trail-making - Combined

    The Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) cognitive battery measures executive functioning skills. Task performance is in scaled score points based on items generated and errors (range of 1-19 with a mean of 10 and a standard deviation of 3). Here, we present difference scores between session 1 (baseline) and 5 (completion). Greater values represent more change. Positive values represent improvement; negative values represent decline in performance.

    Time frame: D-KEFS will be administered at baseline and at the final visit (28 to 56 days after baseline)

  6. Delis Rating of Executive Functioning (D-REF)

    The Delis Rating of Executive Functioning (D-REF) contains 60 items rated by the parent to measure the child's executive functioning compared to age-peers. Results are calculated as T-scores, which have a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10. Here, we present the scores at study completion (visit 5), post-intervention. Greater values reflect greater executive functioning impairment.

    Time frame: D-REF will be administered at baseline and at the final visit (28 to 56 days after baseline). NOTE that baseline scores are listed previously in the appropriate section

  7. Change in Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Task

    The Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Task from the NIH Toolbox measure inhibitory control and attention. Task performance is in T-scores based on correct items and errors (mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10). Here, we present difference scores between session 1 (baseline) T-score and 5 (completion) T-score. Greater values represents more change. Positive values represent improvement; negative values represent decline in performance.

    Time frame: NIH Toolbox will be administered at baseline and at the final visit (28 to 56 days after baseline)

07

Results

Posted Feb 16, 2021

Participant flow

Participant flow — Overall Study
MilestoneCognitive Training and Active tDCSCognitive Training and Sham tDCS
Started2024
Completed1919
Not completed15
Withdrew: Lost to follow-up02
Withdrew: Withdrawal by subject13

Outcome measures

PrimaryBrainHQ Learning Rate

Participants completed a Divided Attention Task during 5 sessions of tDCS. Unit of measure: milliseconds Meaning: lowest threshold reached across trials / fastest reaction time Direction: lower values represent better performance

Time frame:
Learning rate will be computed over 5 sessions of tDCS spanning 28 to 56 days; Each of the 5 tDCS sessions are 46 minutes long. The divided attention task is administered at the end of each tDCS session.
Reported as:
Mean · milliseconds
BrainHQ Learning Rate
millisecondsCognitive Training and Active tDCSCognitive Training and Sham tDCS
BrainHQ Learning Rate867.6 ± 244.1861.7 ± 264.2
SecondaryChange in D-KEFS Verbal Fluency - Letter

The Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) cognitive battery measures executive functioning skills. Task performance is in scaled score points based on items generated and errors (range of 1-19 with a mean of 10 and a standard deviation of 3). Here, we present difference scores between session 1 (baseline) and 5 (completion). Greater values represent more change. Positive values represent improvement; negative values represent decline in performance.

Time frame:
D-KEFS will be administered at baseline and at the final visit (28 to 56 days after baseline)
Reported as:
Mean · score on a scale
Change in D-KEFS Verbal Fluency - Letter
score on a scaleCognitive Training and Active tDCSCognitive Training and Sham tDCS
Change in D-KEFS Verbal Fluency - Letter-0.11 ± 2.05-0.05 ± 1.68
SecondaryChange in D-KEFS Verbal Fluency - Category

The Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) cognitive battery measures executive functioning skills. Task performance is in scaled score points based on items generated and errors (range of 1-19 with a mean of 10 and a standard deviation of 3). Here, we present difference scores between session 1 (baseline) and 5 (completion). Greater values represent more change. Positive values represent improvement; negative values represent decline in performance.

Time frame:
D-KEFS will be administered at baseline and at the final visit (28 to 56 days after baseline)
Reported as:
Mean · score on a scale
Change in D-KEFS Verbal Fluency - Category
score on a scaleCognitive Training and Active tDCSCognitive Training and Sham tDCS
Change in D-KEFS Verbal Fluency - Category-3.68 ± 3.93-3.42 ± 3.37
SecondaryChange in D-KEFS Trail-making - Numbers

The Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) cognitive battery measures executive functioning skills. Task performance is in scaled score points based on items generated and errors (range of 1-19 with a mean of 10 and a standard deviation of 3). Here, we present difference scores between session 1 (baseline) and 5 (completion). Greater values represent more change. Positive values represent improvement; negative values represent decline in performance.

Time frame:
D-KEFS will be administered at baseline and at the final visit (28 to 56 days after baseline)
Reported as:
Mean · score on a scale
Change in D-KEFS Trail-making - Numbers
score on a scaleCognitive Training and Active tDCSCognitive Training and Sham tDCS
Change in D-KEFS Trail-making - Numbers1.11 ± 3.21.37 ± 3.2
SecondaryChange in D-KEFS Trail-making - Letters

The Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) cognitive battery measures executive functioning skills. Task performance is in scaled score points based on items generated and errors (range of 1-19 with a mean of 10 and a standard deviation of 3). Here, we present difference scores between session 1 (baseline) and 5 (completion). Greater values represent more change. Positive values represent improvement; negative values represent decline in performance.

Time frame:
D-KEFS will be administered at baseline and at the final visit (28 to 56 days after baseline)
Reported as:
Mean · score on a scale
Change in D-KEFS Trail-making - Letters
score on a scaleCognitive Training and Active tDCSCognitive Training and Sham tDCS
Change in D-KEFS Trail-making - Letters1.05 ± 3.29-2.95 ± 3.73
SecondaryChange in D-KEFS Trail-making - Combined

The Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) cognitive battery measures executive functioning skills. Task performance is in scaled score points based on items generated and errors (range of 1-19 with a mean of 10 and a standard deviation of 3). Here, we present difference scores between session 1 (baseline) and 5 (completion). Greater values represent more change. Positive values represent improvement; negative values represent decline in performance.

Time frame:
D-KEFS will be administered at baseline and at the final visit (28 to 56 days after baseline)
Reported as:
Mean · score on a scale
Change in D-KEFS Trail-making - Combined
score on a scaleCognitive Training and Active tDCSCognitive Training and Sham tDCS
Change in D-KEFS Trail-making - Combined-1.16 ± 6.24-2.05 ± 6.18
SecondaryDelis Rating of Executive Functioning (D-REF)

The Delis Rating of Executive Functioning (D-REF) contains 60 items rated by the parent to measure the child's executive functioning compared to age-peers. Results are calculated as T-scores, which have a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10. Here, we present the scores at study completion (visit 5), post-intervention. Greater values reflect greater executive functioning impairment.

Time frame:
D-REF will be administered at baseline and at the final visit (28 to 56 days after baseline). NOTE that baseline scores are listed previously in the appropriate section
Reported as:
Mean · t-score
Delis Rating of Executive Functioning (D-REF)
t-scoreCognitive Training and Active tDCSCognitive Training and Sham tDCS
Delis Rating of Executive Functioning (D-REF)70.1 ± 11.973.2 ± 9.5
SecondaryChange in Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Task

The Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Task from the NIH Toolbox measure inhibitory control and attention. Task performance is in T-scores based on correct items and errors (mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10). Here, we present difference scores between session 1 (baseline) T-score and 5 (completion) T-score. Greater values represents more change. Positive values represent improvement; negative values represent decline in performance.

Time frame:
NIH Toolbox will be administered at baseline and at the final visit (28 to 56 days after baseline)
Reported as:
Mean · t-score
Change in Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Task
t-scoreCognitive Training and Active tDCSCognitive Training and Sham tDCS
Change in Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Task2.05 ± 8.13.52 ± 8.92

Adverse events

Collected over 56 days. Non-serious events are listed at a 0% frequency threshold.

Adverse event summary by group
GroupDeathsSeriousOther
Cognitive Training and Active tDCS0/19 (0%)0/19 (0%)19/19 (100%)
Cognitive Training and Sham tDCS0/19 (0%)0/19 (0%)19/19 (100%)
Most frequent other events
Showing 10 of 17
Most frequent other events
EventCognitive Training and Active tDCSCognitive Training and Sham tDCS
SleepinessGeneral disorders12/1912/19
ItchinessSkin and subcutaneous tissue disorders8/1910/19
Scalp discomfortSkin and subcutaneous tissue disorders8/197/19
Difficulty paying attentionGeneral disorders7/195/19
TinglingSkin and subcutaneous tissue disorders6/196/19
HeadacheGeneral disorders5/194/19
ForgetfullnessGeneral disorders3/193/19
Neck painMusculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders2/190/19
Unusual feelings, attitudes, emotionsGeneral disorders2/192/19
NauseaGastrointestinal disorders2/190/19

Baseline characteristics

Age, Categorical
Age, Categorical(Participants)Cognitive Training and Active tDCSCognitive Training and Sham tDCSTotal
<=18 years191938
Between 18 and 65 years000
>=65 years000
Sex: Female, Male
Sex: Female, Male(Participants)Cognitive Training and Active tDCSCognitive Training and Sham tDCSTotal
Female7916
Male121022
Race (NIH/OMB)
Race (NIH/OMB)(Participants)Cognitive Training and Active tDCSCognitive Training and Sham tDCSTotal
American Indian or Alaska Native000
Asian011
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander134
Black or African American224
White91120
More than one race628
Unknown or Not Reported101
Region of Enrollment
Region of Enrollment(participants)Cognitive Training and Active tDCSCognitive Training and Sham tDCSTotal
United States191938
Delis Rating of Executive Functioning (D-REF)
Delis Rating of Executive Functioning (D-REF)(t-score)Cognitive Training and Active tDCSCognitive Training and Sham tDCSTotal
Mean69.9 ± 9.076.3 ± 11.772.4 ± 10.8
08

Study locations

1 site
  • University of Minnesota
    Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454, United States
09

References and documents

Publications

  • Boroda E, Krueger AM, Bansal P, Schumacher MJ, Roy AV, Boys CJ, Lim KO, Wozniak JR. A randomized controlled trial of transcranial direct-current stimulation and cognitive training in children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Brain Stimul. 2020 Jul-Aug;13(4):1059-1068. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2020.04.015. Epub 2020 Apr 28. PubMed 32360392 ↗

Study documents

PDFs hosted by the registry, ClinicalTrials.gov.

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

10

Timeline

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reachedSimilar studies: half by the dot; the band is the middle halfHalf of similar studies reached it by the dot; the band is the middle half, from a quarter to three quarters

Ran from Nov 2017 to primary completion in Jan 2020, 26 months.

Results were first posted in Feb 2021, 1 year after primary completion.

Of 28 interventional studies with no phase under Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, half reached primary completion within 26 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 12 and three quarters within 43. This study's 26 months is close to that.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
Nov 20, 2017
First posted
Dec 4, 2017
StartActual
Nov 20, 2017
Primary completionActual
Jan 30, 2020
CompletionActual
Jan 30, 2020
Results first posted
Feb 16, 2021
Last update
Mar 17, 2021
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Mar 17, 2021, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
11

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT03361293
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Dec 4, 2017
Start date
Nov 20, 2017
Primary completion
Jan 30, 2020
Completion
Jan 30, 2020
Results posted
Feb 16, 2021
Last update
Mar 17, 2021

Study contacts

Jeffrey Wozniak, Ph.D.
principal investigator · University of Minnesota

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
Yes
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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This study is completed, as verified in Feb 2021. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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